Nebraska Rolls Past Saint Louis 5-1

<?xml:namespace prefix="st1" ns="urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:smarttags"?>Lincoln ? The Huskers jumped on Saint Louis early in Friday night’s game and didn’t let up as NU rolled to a 5-1 victory at the Nebraska Soccer Field in front of more than 400 fans.

The Huskers (3-2-2) found the cure for their sputtering offense in sophomore midfielder Julie Berkshire, who posted her first two goals of the season in the game. Nebraska put 10 of 17 shots on goal while the Billikens (3-3-0) managed to place six of 11 shots on goal. Nebraska applied heavy offensive pressure throughout the game as they attempted eight corner kicks to SLU’s two.

 

The Huskers also set several Nebraska Soccer Field records in recording the 5-1 win. NU’s five goals set a team record for goals at the field, dating back to the start of the 2005 season. The previous was four goals on three occasions. The four-goal win also ties the largest margin of victory at the field.

 

Nebraska’s early composure led to two quick strikes within the game's first five minutes. Junior Aysha Jamani scored her first goal of the season on a beautiful pass from junior Sari Raber to put the Huskers on the board first in the fourth minute. SLU’s goalkeeper attempted to make the save, but rolled over the line with the ball, so the goal counted.

 

Junior Selenia Iacchelli capitalized on a flustered Billiken squad by finding the back of the net less than a minute after Jamani’s goal. On a free kick from 30 yards out, Iacchelli placed the ball perfectly over the goalkeeper’s head. Iachelli record five shots in the game, all of which were on goal.

 

The Huskers kept the pressure on as senior Jessie Bruch was in the perfect spot in the 30th minute. A cross from sophomore Lindsay Poehling bounced off the goalkeeper and Bruch tapped it in for her first goal of the season. A scant eight minutes later, Berkshire powered a ball past Koesterer from 18 yards out to beat her to the right and put the Huskers up 4-0 at half.

 

In the second half, Berkshire showed she has some touch, too. On an Anna Caniglia corner, Berkshire headed the ball past Koesterer in the 69th minute to put NU up five and seal the game.

 

Freshman goalkeeper Jessica Mills had another fine day in net for the Huskers as she recorded five saves until being replaced by sophomore Brittany Pfeil in the 85th minute.

 

NU’s only slip up came in the 85th minute when a deflected ball found SLU’s Cassi Winchell just outside the 18-yard box. Winchell beat Pfeil to the right and put the Billikens on the board at 5-1.

 

Four Huskers scored their first goal of the season in the game, while the five goals in the biggest offensive outburst for NU since a 6-0 win at Oral Roberts on Oct. 14, 2005.

 

Nebraska continues its season against No. 9 Florida at 1 p.m. on Sunday at the Nebraska Soccer Field. It's Dollar Days on Sunday, meaning admission, hot dogs and Pepsi products are all just $1.